Speaker-elect and Premier-elect of the Northwest Territories

Speaker-elect and Premier-elect of the Northwest Territories
(Yellowknife) Thursday, October 24th  – The Members of the 19th Legislative Assembly have selected Frederick Blake Jr., Member for Mackenzie Delta, as the Speaker-elect of the 19th Legislative Assembly, and selected Caroline Cochrane, Member for Range Lake, as the Premier-elect of the Northwest Territories.
 
The Territorial Leadership Committee conducted its selection process in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly earlier today. Formal motions to ratify the selections will be brought forward when the 19th Legislative Assembly convenes on Friday, October 25th, 2019 at 1:30 pm.
 
Frederick Blake Jr. was recently acclaimed to the 19th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, this will be his third term representing the Mackenzie Delta constituency.  During the 18th Legislative Assembly, Mr. Blake sat on the Board of Management, and was also a Member of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning and the Standing Committee on Social Development. Prior to becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Blake was the Chief and Mayor of Tsiigehtchic for two terms, from 2007-2011. Mr. Blake was born in Inuvik and has lived in Tsiigehtchic for the last 25 years.
 
Caroline Cochrane was re-elected to the 19th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly representing the constituency of Range Lake. Ms. Cochrane was first elected to the 18th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly in 2015. During the 18th Assembly, Ms. Cochrane was also elected as a Member of Cabinet and held the positions of Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister Responsible for Addressing Homelessness, and  Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.  After a Cabinet shuffle on April 4, 2018, Ms. Cochrane was appointed as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and retained the portfolio as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Ms. Cochrane was also a member of the Special Committee to Increase the Representation of Women in the Legislative Assembly. Ms. Cochrane is of Métis descent, holds a degree in Social Work, and has twenty years’ experience in administration and direct service provision within accredited agencies that support high risk families. Ms. Cochrane and her partner, Rory, have a blended family of adult children and one grandchild.
 
Mr. Blake will occupy the Speaker’s Chair when the First Session of the 19th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is formally convened. Premier-elect Caroline Cochrane will be sworn in as Premier of the Northwest Territories at a ceremony being held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly at approximately 3:00 pm on Friday, October 25th, 2019.
 
 
For more information, please contact:
 
Honourable Frederick Blake Jr., Speaker-elect
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
P. 867-767-9010 ext 12000 or 1-800-661-0784
 
Honourable Caroline Cochrane, Premier-elect
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
P. 867-767-9010 ext 12000 or 1-800-661-0784